Thousands of undocumented construction workers are set to receive legal status

Thousands of undocumented construction workers are set to receive legal status in Canada.

Thousands of undocumented construction workers in Canada will soon have the opportunity to apply for legal status through a newly established immigration pathway. In an announcement made on Friday, Immigration Minister Marc Miller indicated that up to 6,000 undocumented workers will be permitted to apply as part of efforts to address the ongoing housing crisis and significant labor shortages within the construction industry.

"We are allocating space for as many as 6,000 undocumented workers nationwide to engage in a new construction pathway that aims to transition these individuals from the shadows into legitimate employment," Miller stated during a press conference.

Miller elaborated that some of these workers initially entered Canada legally but continued to work after their legal status lapsed. "These individuals, often referred to as undocumented or out-of-status workers, find themselves in vulnerable situations, facing exploitation by employers and others in society, compelled to accept lower wages and unsafe working conditions, and lacking the dignity they deserve," he remarked.

The immigration minister also addressed concerns regarding the perception that these migrants are being rewarded for overstaying their visas and working illegally in Canada.

"I want to emphasize that no one should remain in Canada beyond their legal allowance," Miller asserted. "Those who do may encounter serious repercussions. However, it would be counterproductive to require individuals who are contributing to essential infrastructure projects to leave the country."

Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marc Miller addressed a reporter's inquiry during a press conference held at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.

Urgent Need for Construction Workers
A report published by RBC in 2023 indicated that Canada's construction industry faced a shortage of 64,000 workers. Furthermore, a 2024 analysis from BuildForce Canada projected that this recruitment gap could increase to 85,000 construction workers by the year 2033.

"Although the construction sector will always prioritize the hiring of domestic workers, the evolving career aspirations of Canadian youth and the increasing number of retirements have made it increasingly difficult for the industry to meet the rising demands for construction," stated Sean Strickland, chair of BuildForce Canada, in a previous news release. "It is therefore essential to align immigration priorities more closely with the current and future requirements of Canadian industries."

Additionally, an RBC report from April 2024 highlighted that the job vacancy rate in the construction sector reached 5.1 percent in the third quarter of 2023, ranking it among the highest in Canadian industries. The same report noted that approximately 330,000 retiring construction workers will need to be replaced over the next decade.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has reported that around 1,365 out-of-status construction workers and their dependents have already received permanent resident status through a similar pilot initiative in the Greater Toronto Area.

"It is a logical approach given our current situation as a nation, and it will be beneficial for the future of the country if we aim to construct the ambitious projects we have outlined for the next decade, including the housing that we want people to inhabit," Miller remarked regarding the new initiatives.

Information regarding timelines and eligibility criteria has not yet been disclosed. Miller mentioned that an advisory council comprising government, union, and industry representatives would assist in the development of these measures.

The IRCC announced on Friday that foreign apprentices enrolled in construction programs will be permitted to finish their studies temporarily without the need for a study permit. Additionally, the department provided estimates indicating that the population of undocumented immigrants in Canada varies significantly, with figures ranging from 20,000 to potentially 500,000 individuals.
Edited by Olatunbosun Ibrahim Akanbi